Updated: Comino pontoon overturns slightly injuring people

stephen Baldacchino

Jul 28th 2009, 15:20

Once Again Joe Bandi is right. PAJJIZ TAL- MIKI MOUSE hehehehe

jcmicallef

Jul 28th 2009, 08:52

@ E Compagno

Perfectly put. I'll go a step further. I myself, am not a good swimmer and panic if I don't feel the seabed under my feet.

Had I been on that pontoon, I'd ended in the bottom, and bingo - your first Pontoon-martyr!

Unless of course there were good swimmers around ready to jump to my rescue.

The ppl who fell in the water probably had clothes, shoes on - which don't help, and I don't suppose they were wearing life jackets.

Overcrowding is not an issue with pontoons - it's the design (or construction) that was wrong.

Carmel Pule' gave a very good explanation, and like him, I prefer 'catamaran' type of pontoons, as these are more stable.

What we had here were more like catwalks!

Shame on whoever was responsible.

J.Azzopardi

Jul 27th 2009, 21:53

Mr M.Vella
I seriously hope all the people who were on the pontoon when it overturned will "pool" together and sue whoever was responsible for that pontoon. If an employee is unfortunately killed or injured at work, in 100% of the cases the employer is charged and fined massively, irrespective if he was in default or not. So in a case as serious as this pontoon episode why the different measure ? Worst still considering that innocent people were led into danger without any gate control or warning. One thing is for sure; That pontoon, overloaded or not, could have killed people. We have had magisterial inquiries for the death of a soldier who drowned during an official training exercise were we have ended up with two sacrificial lambs accused of negligence they are not at all guilty of. As a matter of fact the last AFM case enquiry indicated that his death could have been avoided !!! So what is your problem with having a serious enquiry into the pontoon case. This is surely one accident that could have been avoided and any of those who suffered the dip are lucky to be alive.

Raymond Sammut

Jul 27th 2009, 20:52

The MMA apologises to the public but at the same time it blames the public for overloading the structure. The MMA cannot simply walk away from this. The so called "investigations" only rub insult to the trauma. There needs to be an independent inquiry into the installation and commissioning of this structure. Whoever certified this structure for public access, without regard to safety, needs to be made to explain. Lives and limbs have clearly been put at risk as a result of this flagrant negligence.

E Compagno

Jul 27th 2009, 20:39

@ M. Vella. "- why does that make other people's safety less important?" It doesn't. But if you really took the time to think about it, you would soon realise that some people can swim and some people, like an infant for example.. cannot for very obvious reasons. So the danger posed is different to different kinds of people. As a mother, the first thing that comes to my mind is.. ".. what if I was on there with my 4 year old child (who cannot yet swim alone) and we all got thrown into the sea amdist that confusion?" .. hence my argument. Hope it wasn't too pathetic for you. :)

Pail Bugeja

Jul 27th 2009, 16:18

@ M Vella Who is to determine whether the pontoon was over crowded or not ? Maybe they should have put up a sign saying no more than an amount of people on the bridge, and that is if we were living in the other century !!!!. Now-a -days there are means for a design to be tested before implemented. People fearing for there safety are not pathetic, Pathetic are the people who whatever goes wrong in this country says its right, as long as there government is in power.

George.C.Randell

Jul 27th 2009, 15:44

I read your comment @Charles Sammit i bet your are very glad you are living in NY and not in Malta be honest, we are British living in Gozo, a little dead village call Gharb, but only temporary as we too are off to the states NY, maybe we can come and visit. what say you my Maltese friend. By all acocounts it sounds like heaven on earth, or shall we stay put, its a hard choice to make, but as far as the little mishap in commino, that cound happen anywhere and accidents do happen regardless how careful we are, at least no one was injured there you go.

M. Vella

Jul 27th 2009, 14:53

@ E Compagno

Can you imagine if a woman was on this pontoon with an infant in her arms? - why does that make other people's safety less important?

Also, consider that the pontoon was overcrowded???

Can't people think that over crowding might cause an accident? Do we always have to blame the authorities and call for resignations??

What a pathetic bunch of people!

Pule'

Jul 27th 2009, 14:30

To Victor Borg.
Please read my explanation, about 16 contributions lower down.

Pule' Carmel

Jul 27th 2009, 13:28

All universal facts include, causality and/or teleology. Science should be made compulsary in all schools so that whereever we are , we can weigh up the balance between the pleasure of human emotions and the dangers that they may lead us into.

I, as an engineer cannot ever provide a zero tollerance technical product. But I would be willing to teach the limitations of my products and the algorithms I use to design them. The problem is, most people would prefere to go and see someone entertaining them on a stage rather than come to learn science, which could save their life.

I should include a knob on every TV to turn up INTELLIGENCE , as that existing on all TVs called BRIGHTNESS, does not seem to work with most people.

Also of interest, in 100 years we have gone from teaching LATIN and Greek in high schools, to now teaching REMEDIAL ENGLISH at University. So the hope of the general public accepting to understand the invisible RELATIONS of science is almost non existant.

Victor Borg

Jul 27th 2009, 12:27

Hi all experts, just one look at the photo and anybody who knows anything about floating objects knows that any square box will turn topsy-turvy as soon as you put some weight on one side. I can't imagine the Malta Maritime Authority, the leading authority in Malta with anything to do with the sea, approving such a contraption. Well it seems they did. Well done boys.

Daniel Buttigieg

Jul 27th 2009, 12:23

I was at Blue Lagoon when the pontoon collapsed. One thing I remain amazed is the cost for deploying all the resources because an ill-designed pontoon collapsed. From what I witnessed; a police dinghy was onsite within minutes. The Garibaldi was next with I don't know how many people on board - 2 of them even took a small trip on the tender around BlueLagoon while they were at it. An AFM boat sped in shortly after to see what was going on. I jokingly said that a helicopter was all that remained and guess what! 2 frogmen shortly were deployed onsite with a helicopter! Couldn't they have taken one of the other modes of transport?One of the boats,dinghies? It might all have been in good faith; but it was a bit exaggerated - maybe we wanted to put up one of our "only in malta" shows to impress the tourists

Anthony Cardona

Jul 27th 2009, 12:03

I am amazed with the engineering concept behind such constructions. Keep it up!

M Eloff

Jul 27th 2009, 11:01

I was on the Pontoon about 45 minutes before this thing collapsed and I was watching the boats arrive and leave again for about an hour and a half before that. Here is the problem, there is a lack of order going on at the Pontoon. There are too many tourists that can't speak English and if they can, they just pretend that they cant when they get told not to sit there. It is also a lack of construction skills because that really was the worst built pontoon I have ever seen.

My suggestion is to have someone paint onto the pontoon, DO NOT SUNBATH ON THE PONTOON in a few languages or to have the pontoon controlled where there is a person letting people on and off the pontoon when their boats come in.

@ All the people sticking up for their beloved country - Do you not get the seriousness of this indecent? People could have DIED, so get your head out of the clouds and stop trying to protect an obvious failure.

If I was on that Pontoon, I would be finding myself the best lawyer to sue whoever is responsible!

A Cassar

Jul 27th 2009, 08:42

I understand that people ended up in the water? if so, what if someone did't know how to swim? i know people who panic if the water is deep, they could have drowned! this is a very serious accident!

Andrea Portelli

Jul 27th 2009, 00:15

I was there today for a full-day with my students.

Needless to say, the police and MMA officials had to go to the pontoon every 15 minutes, because it continues to be used by a bunch of people who sit on it.

Maybe now such injuries will serve as an example to other people.

Certu nies qadt ma jifmhu bil-kelma it-tajba, imbaghad kull hadd jaghmel ghageb u teatrini ghax xi hadd wegga !!

James A. Tyrrell

Jul 26th 2009, 22:03

@J S Borg. I'm sorry to have bothered you. Obviously sarcasm is lost on you!

k j vella

Jul 26th 2009, 20:34

Well done again to mma! I was one of the boat owners loading and unloading people all day on Saturday, thank god i had just gone at the time of the accident. I do really feel sorry for the injured persons. I've spent the whole day sending off students who were sunbathing on this pontoon. When i spoke to 3 police on a rib one of them told me that they cannot stay there all day long! Why not? Is it this reason why we are paying them?! Most of all mma should have kept one of there officers on site. Accidents have to happen so that we learn the lesson! Where is the consultation before we do something? In this island we have many people who think they know it all and they get paid for it but in fact they know nothing! I just hope that mma will think twice before doing another f..k up! I hope you learnt the lesson sirs.

mickey mouse country!

John Attard

Jul 26th 2009, 19:40

"In a statement the MMA said that the incident was caused because the pontoon was overloaded with passengers departing from Comino to Gozo and Malta"...

Was there a sign on site indicating maximum load/maximum amount of persons?

Mario Psaila

Jul 26th 2009, 19:31

@ J Farrugia
Mr Farrugia. Who is talking politics here? An accident occurred and people got hurt, and that is the subject of this discussion. Are you implying that for anyone to critisize they must be from the opposition side. Does that mean that whatever accidents occur are to be hidden so that the opposition does not make any headway. The people were on the pontoon because nobody told them they should not be there. Shall we start employing Labourites to warn people off because everything runs on politics?

And before you start shooting off again please note I am not affiliated with any party.

Finally, were signs displayed near the area advising tourists of the maximum number of persons that can go on the pontoon? Who was responsible for the large number of people waiting to be embarked on ferries. The ferry boat owners together with the competent authorities are to blame and hopefully, the people will hear about the results of a suitable investigation before too many years pass.

J S Borg

Jul 26th 2009, 19:09

@J Tyrrell If I were you I would re-read the entry by our NY friend and digest his last comment.

Raymond Cachia

Jul 26th 2009, 18:50

@Dylan Oliver

To everyone who was injured - a speedy recovery.

However, do not think that these things do not also happen in other countries too.

The "Mickey Mouse' syndome is alive and well all over the world. Everything abroad does not run like a fine Swiss watch either. What would the Maltese think of one of the largest North American countries, bigger than all of Europe, that has only 14 full time meat inspectors?

Or a municipal water service so underfunded that it sickened hundreds and killed 5 persons? Or a major meat packing company that killed 22 persons and sickened hundreds more with tainted cold cut meats, because it was allowed to regulate itself without any government intervention (all in the name of "Free Market" deregulation)?

By all means stay vigilant, but do take a look beyond your shores too.

K. Vella

Jul 26th 2009, 18:24

I'm sure it takes a genius to calculate how many people could possibly fit on the surface area of the pontoon at any one time and then make sure the whole structure is strong enough.

Please, name, shame, and resign.

J Farrugia

Jul 26th 2009, 18:22

all these labourites and pro labour symopathisers claling names to our country is simply ridiculous. What were 105 persons doing on a pontton? Why did they ignore safety regulations? Pontoons are not made to carry hundreds of persons at any one time. These people are simply unpatriotic because they have been years out of government. What about the tragedies that happened during labour years without anyone being held responsible for their actions.

James A. Tyrrell

Jul 26th 2009, 18:08

@J S Borg. You say, "To our friend from NY: what about the physical, psychological and material damage done by American authorities in foreign countries?" Sorry but I fail to see the connection. Were these 'American authorities' using incompetent pontoon builders?

Danny Rogers (United Kingdom)

Jul 26th 2009, 17:56

@kevi Gambin sorry Kev me ol'sonner not the 5th world country but with so many incosiderate individuals and no sence in health and safety it say country at all in my books.
Danny Rogers (GB)

Pule' Carmel

Jul 26th 2009, 17:50

From the photo it is clear that the floats were the shape of a flat cube and withthe aditional weight of the walkway on top the centre of gravity was above the centre of buoyancy.

Such a displacement hull has no option but to incline to one side whereby the centre of buoyancy would move out from under the centre of gravity in such a direction as to provide the needed stability torque to provide stability. In fact such a situation needs to oscillate all the time to retain a wide enough footprint under the centre of gravity.

If a number of people were on it, then the centre of gravity was even higher and so the floating cube had to incline to a larger angle to displace the centre of buoyancy to keep up withthe position of the moving higher centre of gravity.

But there is a limit to all this. Apparently the students had the pleasure of enjoying the oscillations which are felt to reach resonance, and the higher magnitude of oscillationthen caused the centre of gravity to move out, but not the centre of buoyancy , hence the capsising.
A catamaran floatation system would be better.

Kevin Gambin

Jul 26th 2009, 17:41

Why do we need to have fatalities before we start doing something as it should be.......we are a FIFTH WORLD COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Raymond Sammut

Jul 26th 2009, 17:32

@ J S Borg

There is nothing strange -- a well known physics text problem. The corridor had to be narrow compared to the base in order to limit the weight. Weight had to be kept in proportion to buoyancy-ballast availability. Structural engineers should have been able to carry out testing and setting a safe limit prior to commissioning the structure for public access. The MMA should not have certified this structure without prior testing. This monstrous thing nearly drowned a dozen people according to this report.

Philip Gatt

Jul 26th 2009, 17:17

@Michael Gatt - I agree with you, though this seems to have been a cheaper ride than the ones you go on at Disney parks!

It's ok though, as usual the people are getting blamed before any investigations are made!

J Hili

Jul 26th 2009, 17:15

Just one thing says it all ....the MMA should be ashamed of all this disaster! And next time MMA please do consult boat owners who make use of this pontoon every day to load and unload passengers!! I strongly consider this as a lesson to MMA who should also bear all the responsability of this harm done. It would have been a more seriour and responsible action if the MMA repaired, extended and maintained the existing concrete jetty that is falling into pieces!! Even the stable concrete jetty makes it difficult to load and unload let alone a moving pontoon!! So come on please lets be seriously responsible and logical!!

J S Borg

Jul 26th 2009, 16:45

Considering the size of the base of the pontoon it is very strange how it overturned. Either water was seeping into the the base and hence it became unstable or otherwise heavy overloading and movement took place at one side.
Moreover if persons were fooling around why one should go onto it? One has to look after one's safety.
To our friend friend from NY: what about the physical, psychological and material damage done by american authorities in foreign countries?

Anthony Magri

Jul 26th 2009, 16:41

Enquiries should take place before people are killed to prevent that it happens.
About pontoons
The ferries at Slierma and Valletta had a floating pontoon each and it does not appear that a similar accident ever happened. If someting caters for one hundred people it must be made secure to cater for twice that number; in that way a similar accident never happens.
Just last week we read the news that at Marseille during a show by Madonna a spectators's stand gave way and people were killed and several injured.
So accidents happen but follow the aftermath and it will be noticed that negligence is always the cause either when building it or when using it irregularly
A enquiry is called for whether people were seriously injured or not. This is aproblem of safety.

M Borg

Jul 26th 2009, 16:36

@ Michael Gatt
I agree this is nowhere near a Mickey Mouse but a banana republic within the EU
When are we going to start learning from other countries that have more know-how than we do. Or are we the best?????

J.Borg

Jul 26th 2009, 16:29

:In a statement the MMA said that the incident was caused because the pontoon was overloaded with passengers departing from Comino to Gozo and Malta."

what a laugh, we don't do anything right here.......these things should have been thought of.....as if we don't know that lots of people travel to comino.....what did the MMA expect that people go on the pontoon in groups of 10......give us a break and next time do something good.

Don't tell us that all the pontoons fixed around the island were built on the same basis!!!!

Michael Gatt

Jul 26th 2009, 16:25

When are we ever gonna learn? Calling Malta a Mickey Mouse Country is an insult to Mickey Mouse!!! Have you ever seen how organised and serious the Walt Disney Organisation is? If only we WERE as good as a Mickey Mouse Country!!!

M Borg

Jul 26th 2009, 16:10

This is how to attract and bring tourists to Malta!!!!
These are avoidable and preventable so called accidents, who engineered this one? This pontoon should not have been used until proper testing was done, it is obvious from the resulting mishap that non of this was done.
Yes the Chairman should resign he is after all accountable for his department, so get off your high horse and come down to earth.

Joseph Calleja

Jul 26th 2009, 15:34

If as some people said there were approx 150 people fooling around on this pontoon, then it was no accident but pure vandalism and those people should be held responsible. Accidents do happen but it seems like this was no accident. As mentioned, this pontoon was placed there to help people disembark from boats to get to land and not to serve as a play station for irresponsible people. For best, do away with the pontoon altogether.

Dylan Lentini

Jul 26th 2009, 15:29

I was on it at the time it capsized.

Ppl fell on top of others trying to come out to breath air...some were stuck to the rails nd trapped underneath...the platoon fell on top of us nd concrete hit some in the head...some didnt know how to swim...mobiles, cameras, etc got ruined!

Students tried to balance cos it was getting worse every wave. However, I was impressed with the number of Maltese volunteers who immediately took action...teamwork at its best...some left their belongings, put on masks nd went down searching for trapped ppl...others helped those in need to shore...more collected wallets nd stuff nd gave them to their respective owners...a truly memorable experience!

mike buttigieg

Jul 26th 2009, 15:24

@ tony zammit

rubbish in comino at the blue lagoon and santa marija is being emptied every day from monday to sunday by goverment workers at 7.00am in the morning and it has to to transpoted to gozo DAILLY

Claris Galea

Jul 26th 2009, 15:06

A basic knowledge of shipbuilding would have avoided this accident even if 300 people were on the pontoon .
All that was need was the right amount of ballast to make it totally stable and self righting .
Onlyinmalta classic !

L. Attard Bezzina

Jul 26th 2009, 14:55

Why wasn't it anchored? If they had let ex Malta Drydocks workmen do it, it would never have happened. deletantizmu galore !

Gustav Cuschieri

Jul 26th 2009, 14:11

It shows that the majority of the comments below are from people who didn't witness or weren't involved in this incident. Well i was one of the many on the pontoon he was involved and was temporarily stuck between and adjacent boat that had tourists boarding and the over turned pontoon. My girlfriend was nearly knocked unconscious by the railing found on the pontoon and my cousin was trapped for over 40sec due to his bag getting getting tangled.

It was a horrible experience that shows it only takes a couple of seconds to end yours and your loved ones life due to the incompetence of some foolish person in command SHAME on you fool!

Another incident that will further reduce tourism in flow on this Island, way to go Malta.

Nikita Scicluna

Jul 26th 2009, 14:08

The consequences of this accident could have been much worse. I was personally on the pontoon when it overturned, indeed it was a horrendous and scary experience. Approx 50 -60 people mostly 16 /17 yr old foreign students were on the pontoon waiting for the comino boat which goes to Cirkewwa. To make things worse there was a boat trying to berth next to the pontoon so that people could go on it, so we ended up thrown in the sea between a pontoon and a boat. Luckily no one got seriously injured. Moreover everyone's belongings ended up wet and ruined.

I seriously think that this accident could have been easily avoided had the responsible government authority taken precautions. This pontoon wasnt safe from the first day it was installed. Why do we have to let accidents happen before we take action ?!! This accident just shows what a disgraceful country we live in and when these things happen I am simply ashamed of where I come from. I think the Government should seriously consider in appointing competent people who can ensure safety at sea. This is just shameful.

Francis Muscat

Jul 26th 2009, 13:47

SOME PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY KNOW IT ALL ARE RIDICULOUSLY FUNNY.ON A POINT OF ORDER,DON'T ACCIDENTS HAPPEN OVERSEAS?SURELY SO AND NOBODY CALLS ITALY,ENGLAND AND WHEREVER, A MICKEY MOUSE COUNTRY.LORD HAVE MERCY ON THESE SAD PEOPLE !!! AMEN.

v.pulis

Jul 26th 2009, 13:46

@J Borg
Accidents do not happen, they are caused.

John Owen

Jul 26th 2009, 13:44

I was at Comino from 10am to 3 pm, the whole day I could see the game being played on the pontoon, girls sit on the side and the boys stand on the side rocking the pontoon to try and tip the girls off, It was obvious the pontoon was very unstable.

At times people were unable to get of the boats due to the precarious angle of the pontoon and had to wait until the pontoon was cleared and leveled off.

Whoever designed the pontoon obviously had no idea of balance and or nautical stability. It was an accident waiting to happen, thank god no one was seriously injured, Hopefully it will be a lesson for future structures and not just become another joke on www.Onlyinmalta.com!!!

James A. Tyrrell

Jul 26th 2009, 13:25

How hard can it be to construct and install a pontoon? It's not exactly a major engineering exercise is it?

Matthew Borg

Jul 26th 2009, 13:16

Yesterday I was at comino when this happened and I saw everything. The pontoon overturned because students where fooling around. They were causing the pontoon to swing by moving from one side to another without any reason. The pontoon was anchored to concrete blocks. In this particular case I have to say that the fault is off those students fooling around.

For once I believe it's not the authorities fault. Imagine if students stay jumping on purpose in a lift and then the lift falls, will that we the fault of the lift owner?

Mario Parnis

Jul 26th 2009, 13:10

Last Sunday at 2.30pm the fixed bridge connected to the pontoon was broken. Tourists kept passing on it and the whole structure was falling off in the sea tourists and all. I and other people who were present stopped tourists from using it as it was dangerous, I called 191 and the operator transfered me to the Victoria Police Station, when I reported the dangerous state of the pontoon, the policeman who answered my call told me: "Since no one is hurt we can't send anyone there". In the meantime no one could use the pontoon to board the boats. We waited 30minutes and since the bridge was in a dangerous state and no one came from the authorities, we decided that its better we let it fall in the sea. In the 3 hours that I spent there afterwards only 1 policeman came and he said he can do nothing. No one from the MMA showed up. On monday the bridge was fixed again and today we see this mess. Can the MMA chairman answer about this incompetence and why the authority was informed many times about this pontoon and did nothing? Answers Please!

Tony Zammit

Jul 26th 2009, 12:45

And the RUBBISH BINS on COMINO are not being frequently emptied, resulting in a feast of RATS helping to clear the area of trash and food.

Or is this being done to help the fauna of Comino?

Come on Malta! Come on!!!!!!!

victor vella

Jul 26th 2009, 12:37

Mela can we have the name of the achitect in charge of the works please? can we see that he does not take responsability of any works until a full investigation is concluded? there could have been severe consequencies here. Ok some are going to say that it was not designed for people to swimm off it , it was not designed for this or that, it is an uncontroled passage way in an open and public place and precautions should have been taken during the design.

o galea

Jul 26th 2009, 12:08

Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse. No more and and less

Ernest Vella

Jul 26th 2009, 11:56

sa fejn naf jien pontoon ta dan it-tip irrid ikun marbut sew mal-konkos u ankrat sew miz-zewg nahat...u kieku sar forma ta T kien ikun iktar stabli...milli jidher la kien marbut, la kien stabli u lanqas kien safe - Kemmuna Airways Indeed

Nathalie Muscat

Jul 26th 2009, 11:51

Dear all, It's true that there was a nasty accident at Comino but nobody was hurt. Let's reason everyone...its easy to put the blame on someoone else such as the MMA Chairman but on the whole this organisation is trying and working hard to improve the safety for all those who are sea lovers including swimmers and boat owners. Let me ask one question..if you all knew or found out that the pontoon was unsafe from day 1 so why didn't someone phone the MMA and report it?! Its because it's easier to ignore and hope that others do it...We should thank the MMA for working hard in providing safety at sea for everyone. Unfortunately we are in Malta and we tend to criticise for all that is not done, all that is done and all that should be done! This should change as Malta needs people who instead of criticising, act and are open to suggestions! Thank You.

Joanna Ellul

Jul 26th 2009, 11:50

Just for the Info.

The pontoon was not designed to take a whole load of people at one go, sources said that there were roughly a 150 people on the pontoon at the time of the accident. The pontoon was designed and built so that boats could moor along side it and so that people could walk onto the land.

The fact that the pontoon overturned means that there was no boat moored to the actual said pontoon.

SO naturally one would question, what were 150 people doing on the pontoon?

Tony Gatt

Jul 26th 2009, 11:12

It looks like whoever designed this pontoon needs a basic lesson in ship stability!

N Pace

Jul 26th 2009, 11:00

It was never safe from the day it was installed . The Authorities should answer to this case they have been warned.

F.Forbes

Jul 26th 2009, 10:56

Well folks welcome to Comino but make sure you have a good insurance, you'll never know when you might need it to fly back home. Felix Forbes

Eric Camilleri

Jul 26th 2009, 10:47

Mr E. Compagno's statement is spot on. Though I would never go with a baby in arms to Blue Lagoon or similar places, it does send shivers down one's spine. That pontoon is a crime in itself, both in concept, design and construction.

F Vella

Jul 26th 2009, 10:45

whilst it is a shame that people were hurt, and with this I hope that all will have a speedy recovery.

What never fails to impress me is the fact that we as a nation can always point the finger but yet never accept any in return.

I will not go into the merits of stabililty, construction etc, as I am not qualified to do so. But in terms of health and safety, that is a different story. I would like to put forward several questions,1. where was the safety sign stipulating maximum capacity? 2. group leaders, where you to keep the crowds in order?, 3. when will Comino have a resident first aid post / life guard station?.
words of gratitude must be sent to all those who throughout the summer months try and help injured locals and tourists alike. But here is a question to those who try, is your insurance policy covering rescue at sea? are you fully qualified to carry out life saving measures?

M.Gauci

Jul 26th 2009, 10:33

Yes this was an accident waiting to happen. Police and MMA officials spend the vast majority of the day moving people off the pontoon as it was used as a diving board. People just don't use common sense. Though to be fair, the pontoon could have easily be chained to the seabed hence preventing it from turning over. I wish all those who are injured a speedy recovery.

Andrew Azzopardi

Jul 26th 2009, 10:21

This was an accident waiting to happen, the boat owners, dont seem to care about peoples safety and allow unnecessary people on it, a small pontoon like that with 50 people on one side. When i went to comino last time it almost overturned but many people managed to move to the otherside to balance it out! Catching a boat out of comino is like catching a 65 bus from sliema terminus, everyone fights to get in, with half of the people not knowing its the wrong bus.

Charles Sammut (NY)

Jul 26th 2009, 10:21

The Trail Lawyers in Malta must be toothless.. It seems to me like a clear case of negligence and an obvious reason for a Class Action suit agaist the builders of the pontoon and those that are supposed to maintain it. Accountability and the threat of a Law suit does help in preventing such accidents that are a harrowing experiece for those involved. Psychological pain and physical pain apparently go unpunished in Malta.

J.Azzopardi

Jul 26th 2009, 10:19

It is worth an enquiry as to why this happened, where thankfully no fatalities or serious injuries occurred. From what I was told there seems to have been a typical rush from a large group of foreign students (which comes as no surprise really). If so than it looks familiar to one sided overcrowding which caused the pontoon to overturn. However if no access control existed, then was this pontoon designed and built to standards that can withstand such unfortunate, yet unruly circumstances. Synchronized human weight and momentum can transfer enough energy to overturn boats and larger vessels, collapse bridges, spectator stands, etc, as in fact we have seen them all in overseas past news.

Stephen Sammut Nurminen

Jul 26th 2009, 10:07

Finally, it happened!! Unfortunately, a few people had to get injured though.
This pontoon was unsafe from day 1. I'd really like to know who constructed it, and I hope he is held accountable.
This country never fails to surprise people.

Jesmond Bugeja

Jul 26th 2009, 10:04

I wonder if any stability tests were performed by a qualified entity when the installation of the pontoon was ready. If not, why? It would be interesting to know how much this pontoon has cost the tax payers. - I wonder why those MMA employees who patrol comino on the dinghy together with a policeman and use the pontoon many times per day, did not report to their superiors about the instability?
Ity ? I was in comino last Monday and though I am no expert, I could easlily see that the pontoon was not siutable for its use as it was highly unstable. I hope MMA learns something from this.

E Compagno

Jul 26th 2009, 09:55

@ J. Borg.

Can you imagine if a woman was on this pontoon with an infant in her arms? You can't just shrug it off as 'accidents happen'. It is obvious that the pontoon was very unsturdy.. that's an 'accident waiting to happen'.. and THAT should be unacceptible.

Why do we have to wait till someone loses their life before we stop having this kind of attitude? If this happened anywhere else in the world be sure the people standing on the pontoon at the time would sue - and rightly so!

Joseph Sammut

Jul 26th 2009, 09:49

@J. Borg: of course accidents happen. So we do not look into why they happen so that at least we learn from possible mistakes, oversights? And if we find irregularities from responsible persons, we do not take action, because accidents happen? With this reasoning, were does one draw the line? One can apply this line of reasoning to all wrongs of the world: one can argue that "wrongs" happen? Prosit!!!!

Joseph Calleja

Jul 26th 2009, 09:47

@ J Borg

Your statement is not acceptable. All accidents can be avoided if all the persons involved are competent enough to evaluate all circumstances, imagine waste case scenarios and carry out detailed risk assessment, implement control measures and monitor at all times!

Statements like yours convice me that we are still way behind in health and safety!

Mario Pace

Jul 26th 2009, 09:47

As long as people on these authorities (inc MMA and OHSA) are only chosen for their colour and not for their capabilities and professionalism, these things will only continue to happen. Look at MMA, OHSA, ADT, MCA, MEPA, MITA and the list goes on and on and on..........

jcmicallef

Jul 26th 2009, 09:41

I hope that all those injured get well soon and go back home with nicer memories of Malta.

Shame on whoever was responsible for this inident.

Incidents like this how how shabby and unprofessional we tend to be on this little island.

M Grech

Jul 26th 2009, 09:41

I keep reading the words accountability, responsibility, resignation, compensation...

Having spent all my life living in Malta, I cannot understand the meaning of these words. Could someone kindly enlighten me, poor ignorant that I am?

J. Borg

Jul 26th 2009, 09:33

@ Dylan Oliver

Do not exaggerate - accidents happen. Just thank God that no one was injured seriously.

Charles Micallef

Jul 26th 2009, 09:30

@ Dylan Oliver, your quote..................I hope the Malta Maritime Chairman resigns,

This is Malta my friend, whoever he / she is will wake up this morning without
a care in the world, let alone worry about this ‘silly’ incident in Comino!

The meaning of shouldering one's responsibility is alien to this country………..

D.Apap

Jul 26th 2009, 09:27

Well done to the engineer that designed and build the pontoon! This after the fiasco at Qormi with the fireworks!! Is there any health and safety anywhere in Malta and Gozo. As always ONLY IN MALTA.

Stephanie Caruana

Jul 26th 2009, 09:23

I have used this Pontoon on Friday and i was afraid to stand on it since it already felt that it was going to overturn. I cannot understand how the Malta Maritme placed this Pontoon and did not secure it properly? Why do we have to wait for an accident to take action? Yesterday evening during the incident i know that a water sports company was trying to get hold of someeone at the MMA but to no avail. Before placing a Pontoon like this in an area that is visited by 1000's of toruists they should seek advise from the boat owners that trasport these passengers. I hope that the MMA will take full responsibilty of what happned and compensate the clients that were on the Pontoon as all the people have lost cameras, mobiles etc.

Roderick Peresso

Jul 26th 2009, 09:22

@Dylan Olliver

Shouldering responsibility doesn't imply resignation, always! Please spare us from such comments.

Annaliese Micallef

Jul 26th 2009, 09:19

We tried to explian that an accident will happen if this pontoon is not changed but as usual no 1 take any actions until an acident happens !! more accidents will be on d way if the regulations @ comino r not changed ! !

C micallef

Jul 26th 2009, 09:13

Hope that the injured people get well. its about time that something is done in comino so as to have a permanent lifeguard post, that could assit in such situations. Its no longer acceptable that Comino is without any firs aid or lifeguard services.

Steve Holmes

Jul 26th 2009, 09:05

I was on a boat very close to this incident and saw the whole thing.

"A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what could
cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. People have a right to be protected from harm caused by a failure to take reasonable control measures."

Come on Malta it's 2009!!

Miriam Sargent

Jul 26th 2009, 09:04

Comino is a disaster waiting to happen, vigilance musy be very strict both on boaters AND swimmers. with such a large congestion of people, police and medical aid should be there all the time. I hope the people injured get well soon.

Dylan Olliver

Jul 26th 2009, 08:16

Mickey Mouse country. I hope the Malta Maritime Chairman resigns. Hope those injured get well soon.